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Many producers had a lot to be thankful for as Thanksgiving approached, but cotton producers were particularly blessed, according to Texas AgriLife Extension Service personnel.

"It's not often we have a good crop and a good price, and the future prices are still looking pretty good," said Dr. Gaylon Morgan, AgriLife Extension statewide cotton agronomist based in College Station. "So I think we're going to see a pretty substantial increase in cotton acreage and throughout the cotton belt next year."

In South and Central Texas, gins are nearly done with this year's crop, Morgan said.

"Visiting with county agents in the Blacklands, some of the bigger gins are expected to wrap up next week," he said. "I haven't heard how they're doing out in the Rolling Plains and High Plains, but with the yield potential they have, I'm sure they'll be running into the spring."

In the High Plains, the cotton harvest typically isn't finished until December, and a late crop and late freeze in some areas may stretch the harvest well past New Year’s, Morgan said.